The Lester Wealth Management Group

Access To Our Network Of Trusted Professionals

With over 30 years of business experience, Steve has developed an extensive contact network of bankers, lawyers, accountants, specialized high net worth consultants and other professionals. As your trusted advisor, we are happy to share our experiences and findings to assist you in your search for the right service provider. Our knowledge of your circumstances and your personal comfort level can assist you in finding a professional that best suits your needs.

RBC Private Banking Specialist

We work with a number of Private Bankers selected for their commitment to our ideals of service and expertise. Our partnership with the bank affords us the opportunity to introduce you to a Private Banker that is most suited to your needs. At RBC Private Banking, your personalized service plan with The Lester Wealth Management Group is extended to your own private banking professional. Private Banking is an exclusive service to high valued clients and offers comprehensive care and attention for all your banking and credit needs.

RBC Mortgage Specialist

We are aware that your financial needs are diverse and may change over time. As part of our integrated service platform, our mortgage specialist is available to assist with your borrowing needs. In keeping with our commitment to you, our mortgage specialist will work with us to arrange a mortgage or credit facility that best suits your needs and reflects your current financial position.

Our integrated approach to caring for all your financial needs can often result in opportunities to structure your mortgage so that interest is "tax deductible”.

Extended Team

Prashant Patel, CFP, TEP

Vice-President, High Net Worth Planning Services, RBC Family Office Services

Prashant has assisted high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families with tax, estate and retirement issues since 1992.

His guidance supports clients in their relationships with their external professional advisors, with whom he frequently interacts.

His expertise includes tax and estate planning for executives, business owners, retirees, sports professionals and individuals with U.S. issues. He also assists individuals facing significant financial events (sale of business, financial windfall, retirement, job loss, moving to Canada, leaving Canada, etc.)

Prior to joining RBC in 1999, Prashant honed his expertise by working as a Canadian and U.S. tax specialist for two of the big four accounting firms in downtown Toronto.

Prashant is a Certified Financial Planner, Associate of the Society of Actuaries and member of both the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and Canadian Tax Foundation.

Joel Cuperfain, CLU, BA, LL.B, LL.M, TEP

Vice-President & Estate Planning Specialist, RBC Wealth Management Financial Services Inc.

A former tax lawyer with over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, Joel brings a unique perspective to the estate planning needs of his clients. Joel works closely with you and your team of professional advisors to develop and implement tax-efficient strategies to help you achieve your wealth management goals.

Joel received his BA (Economics) from Brandeis University, his LL.B from the University of Toronto and LL.M in Tax Law from Osgoode Hall Law School. He is a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (TEP). Joel is a frequent speaker at industry and professional conferences. His articles have appeared in numerous publications including the Canadian Tax Journal and the Canadian Business Law Journal. He is the founding co-editor of the leading text on tax planning with life insurance, Canadian Taxation of Life Insurance.

Ariel-Charles Guigui, B. Admin, LL.B, TEP

Vice-President & Will & Estate Consultant, RBC Family Office Services

Ariel graduated from the University of Ottawa with a degree in Business Administration in 1992, and from the Faculty of Law in 1994 where he served on the editorial board of the Law Review.

He was called to the Ontario Bar in 1996. Prior to joining RBC, Ariel spent 5 years teaching Real Estate Law and Estate Law at La Cité Collégiale in Ottawa. For the previous 12 years, Ariel held several positions at a major trust company, culminating in the role of Trust Manager.

Ariel is a member in good standing of the Law Society of Upper Canada, and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (Canadian chapter). His significant practical experience in estate planning and administration allows him to offer valuable guidance during the creation of your estate plan.

Ted Chan, B.Com., CFP, CLU, CIM, FCSI, TEP

Financial Planning Specialist, RBC Family Office Services

Ted prepares comprehensive Personal Financial Plans to help clients identify and reach specific goals with respect to retirement, education, major purchase funding and estate planning.

Ted is a Bachelor of Commerce graduate from the University of Toronto and a Certified Financial Planner. He also holds designations as a Chartered Investment Manager, Trust and Estate Practitioner and is a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute.

Ted believes that a financial plan is extremely valuable in helping you achieve your goals for overall long-term financial well-being. It can provide you with a clear picture of where you are now and create a strategy for what you need to do, to have peace of mind for the future.